Perpetual seeks sweep of beach volley titles

MANILA, Philippines -  Perpetual Help poised itself for a three-title sweep in the NCAA beach volleyball tournament as its men’s, women’s and juniors teams made it to the finals at the Broadwalk of the Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales City.

The men’s duo of Jay dela Cruz and Sandy Moreno and ladies’ tandem of April Anne Sartin and Norie Jane Diaz all swept their elimination round and semifinal matches to zero in on the crowns in their respective divisions.

The Altas, who lost to the Arellano U spikers last year, will face off with last year’s runners-up Rudy Gatdula and Erickson Ramos of Letran. The Chiefs finished only fourth in the elims this year.

Letran, Arellano U and St. Benilde actually finished tied for second with 1-2 cards but the Knights emerged with the highest quotient score of 1.086 against the Blazers’ 1.000 and the Chiefs’ 0.923 to clinch the last slot.

Sartin and Diaz, the defending champions, will take on San Sebastian’s Czarina Berbano and Gretchel Soltones, who wound up with a 2-1 card in the semis after beating St. Benilde, 21-19, 21-19 and Arellano U, 21-16, 23-21.

Perpetual’s high school pair of Jherald Martinez and Chistopher Soriano, on the other hand, will take on Emilio Aguinaldo’s Jopet Movido and Toshihiro Wada in the juniors finale in the event hosted by Paul Supan of Jose Rizal.

Perpetual Help is seeking to improve its finish last year when they won the women’s crown and finished second in the men’s and juniors divisions.